The Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II Digital Camera from Sony is a compact, point-and-shoot camera that features a large 20.2MP, 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor producing high resolution still imagery and internal-recording UHD 4K video up to 30 fps, and super slow-motion video up to 960 fps. This sensor's design utilizes a stacked CMOS image sensor with a DRAM chip and backside-illuminated technology to improve clarity and image quality when working in dimly-lit conditions as well as low-noise imagery and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12800. The DRAM chip is integrated into the sensor, and combined with the BIONZ X processor allows for fast readout speeds, burst shooting up to 14 fps, and a maximum physical shutter speed of 1/3200 sec and a maximum electronic shutter speed of 1/32000 sec.

The built-in, Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, 8.3x optical zoom lens provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 24-200mm, covering a broad range of focal lengths to provide versatile, multi-functional shooting from one zoom lens. A constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 is effective in low light and provides shallow depth-of-field focus control. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is also available to help minimize the effects of camera shake when working in dimly-lit conditions and with greater zoom magnifications. The lens also features 7 aspherical elements including an Advanced Aspherical lens to minimize aberrations and distortion and Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating, which helps to reduce surface reflections, lens flare, and ghosting in order to produce imagery that is rich in contrast and clarity.

A Direct Drive, Supersonic Wave Motor (SSM) provides fast and smooth autofocus action while Eye AF enables precise eye-detection focusing with confirmation that a subject's eye is in focus even if their head is partially turned. Flexible Spot areas allow precise focus placement, and Lock-on AF keeps focus locked on a moving subject, even if that subject leaves the frame momentarily. Seamless close-up shooting is also supported, which no longer requires the need to switch to a dedicated macro mode, for focusing on subjects as close as 1.2".

For image composition and playback, the RX10 II features a large 3.0", 1228K-dot, Xtra Fine LCD monitor with a tilting design to better serve working from high and low angles. WhiteMagic technology is incorporated into the display to increase the effective brightness of the screen. Also, the XGA OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder integrates four aspherical elements for sharp eye-level composition. An automatic eye-sensor recognizes when an eye is at the viewfinder and illuminates the EVF while turning off the LCD.

UHD 4K video is supported up to 30 fps in XAVC S format thanks to a high-speed front-end LSI which processes the data with full pixel readout with no line skipping or pixel binning. The XAVC S format allows for high-bitrate shooting up to 100 Mbps. A built-in stereo microphone and an external mic jack are provided as is a headphone jack from audio monitoring. Professional features such as full manual exposure control and uncompressed off-camera recording are also supported.

Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Connectivity) allow for easy wireless connections to smartphones and tablets in order to transfer images for sharing as well as to use your smartphone as a remote control via the free Sony PlayMemories app.

The compact magnesium alloy body of the RX10 II is moisture and dust resistant. It offers a built-in pop-up flash as well as the Sony Multi-Interface shoe for connecting flashes, microphones, lights, monitors, and other accessories. A multi-compatibility card slot enables the use of SD series, micro-SD series, and Memory Stick memory cards. A selectable click or click-less manual control ring on the lens lets you adjust numerous camera settings without taking your eye from the image and customizable buttons provides fast access to the camera settings that you need most.

20.2MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor

The 1" stacked CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip offers a fast electronic shutter speed of up to 1/32000. The Exmor RS sensor not only enhances efficiency and speed of A/D conversion through its stacked structure with more circuit sections; it also realizes over five times faster readout speed of the previous RX10 thanks to a DRAM chip integrated into the sensor structure. This processing speed allows for 20.2-megapixels at up to 14 fps continuous shooting, 4K movie and super slow-motion HFR (High Frame Rate) recording of up to 960 fps (40x) movie clips - not to mention better low-light low-noise capability.

BIONZ X Image Processor

Also benefitting the image quality, as well as overall camera performance, is the BIONZ X image processor. It faithfully reproduces details and rich tones with lower image noise than was previously possible. Performance speed is also impressive including full-resolution continuous shooting up to 14 fps, high-speed auto focusing and UHD 4K video recording. Still images can be recorded in JPEG or RAW file formats or both simultaneously.

UHD 4K Video Recording

High quality 4k is achieved by a high-speed front-end LSI, which processes mass volume image data from the 1" Exmor RS CMOS sensor - with full pixel readout and no line skipping or pixel binning - resulting in images that exhibit higher resolution and less moiré and jaggies than typical 4K movies. Moreover, the XAVC S format is incorporated to maximize high-bitrate shooting up to 100 Mbps for professional quality video. The RX10 II also includes functions such as; Picture Profile, S-Log2/S-Gamut, TC/UB, Rec Control, Dual Video Recording, and marker display function.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 8.3x Optical Zoom Lens

The built-in Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 24-200mm, covering wide-angle to full telephoto perspectives to suit working in a wide variety of situations. The fast constant f/2.8 maximum aperture enables enhanced low-light capabilities as well as greater control over focus placement for selective focus imagery. The lens also features 7 aspheric elements including one Advanced Aspheric element for reduced aberrations and a Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating to help minimize lens flare and ghosting in order to produce imagery with rich contrast and clarity.

Super-Speed Anti-Distortion Electronic Shutter

In addition to the physical shutter's max speed of 1/3200 sec. even faster shutter speeds of up to 1/32000 sec. are possible thanks to a dramatically accelerated sensor readout. The accelerated electronic shutter readout minimizes distortion caused by rolling shutter phenomenon. This new fast Anti-Distortion Shutter system can capture shots of swiftly moving subjects without altering their shape as conventional CMOS sensors tend to do. Additionally, the super high-speed shutter gives you freedom to shoot photos with de-focused backgrounds by using large aperture settings under very bright lighting conditions. This is achieved by a combination of 1/32000 super high speed shutter and built-in ND filter that allows photos to be shot in extremely bright light at a maximum of EV19 with a fully open aperture.

Built-In Wireless and NFC Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity enables the RX10 II to instantly transfer imagery to mobile devices for direct sharing with social networking sites, via email, and to cloud storage sites. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also supported, which allows for one-touch connection between the camera and compatible Android mobile devices; no complex set-up is required. This technology when used with the free Sony PlayMemories Mobile app also provides the ability to use Smart Remote Control, which provides for remote shutter release that is controlled by a smart device.

High-Resolution LCD Monitor

For live view monitoring, image playback and review, and menu navigation, a 3.0" 1228K-dot LCD monitor is integrated into the camera body and features a tilting design to promote easier use from high and low angles. The screen can tilt approximately 84° up and 45° down, giving a wide range of viewing angles. The LCD also employs WhiteMagic technology, which enhances the brightness of the display for easier use in bright conditions. Real-time image adjustment can be seen on the monitor and Grid Display and Peaking can be customized for better image control.

XGA OLED Viewfinder

See spectacular clarity, contrast, and detail in every scene, regardless of conditions, on the built-in, bright, high-resolution OLED Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder. Four dual-sided aspherical lenses provide a big, 33º view angle and maintain excellent edge-to-edge visibility of the electronic viewfinder. An eye-sensor on the viewfinder senses when your eye is at the finder and illuminates it while simultaneously turning off the LCD monitor.

Lock-on Autofocus precisely focuses on moving subjects by continuously adjusting target frame size based on its recognition of subject characteristics. Even when a subject goes out of frame temporarily, tracking resumes at the moment that it is recaptured after re-entering the frame. Advanced Eye Detection technology creates Eye AF Function which detects and focuses on the subject's eye even if the head is turned slightly.

Close-up Focusing

Close-up shooting is seamless and no switching to macro mode is needed. The minimum focus distance for the RX10 II is 1.2".

Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization works to minimize the appearance of camera shake when working in low-light conditions or with greater zoom magnifications. The system can counter the effects of both vertical and horizontal movements, and, furthermore, Active 3-Way stabilization adds digital rolling control that balances both clockwise and counter-clockwise movements while recording videos.

Built-In Flash and Multi-Interface Shoe

A convenient pop-up flash with several flash modes is provided but the RX10 II features the advanced Multi-Interface Shoe that dramatically expands compatibility with Sony digital imaging accessories such as flash units and microphones, thus increasing the potential of your photo and movie shooting.

Selectable Click/Click-Less Manual Control Ring

The manual ring gives you direct control of certain settings, zooming, and focusing, according to the focus mode in use. In addition, before turning the aperture ring to set f-stop, you can turn Aperture Click Switch on for clicked aperture adjustment or off for a quiet, smooth feel when setting the aperture. A display panel on top lets you see key settings without moving the camera as you look through the viewfinder.

Sony DSC-RX10 II reviews

Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II Digital Camera is rated
4.3 out of
5 by
46.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Cliff from
Little MONSTER!Wow,..this little thing camera is a POWERHOUSE! Don't let it's small Cybershot size fool you. Sony threw in everything including the kitchen sink. 100Mbp/s XAVC-S with high speed frame rates? Amazing. The dynamic range with SLOG-2 is literally 12 stops in latitude. I lab tested the dynamic range with the A7s at 800 ISO and it matched the dynamic range of the A7s EXACTLY. I nearly fell out of my chair. This camera more dynamic range with SLOG-2 than even many of Sony's pro camcorders. (short of the Super35 models.) This camera is a tiny little MONSTER. Very surprising indeed. I used to own the original RX10..this new model easily kills it.

Date published: 2015-08-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Wildbill in Montana from
Superb for close-up images and Macro photographyAfter reading a large number of positive reviews on this camera, I decided to purchase one to see for myself if the camera was really as good as the majority of the reviews indicated. I will cover only one aspect of the camera in this review - its use for close ups and macro shots. I will do this by posting some shots captured with my Sony DSC-RX10-II. All the shots were captured with the lens wide open and under ambient light conditions - no flash. The images are reduced in size for posting here. Check out the images and make your own judgements on what this camera will do.

Date published: 2015-11-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Erik from
What I expectedThis is probably the best bridge camera out there. Got this with the intention this will be the B camera for my A7s. It should last me through the next couple years I think as a backup camera. So far, it's a great camera. Just as you'd expect. The main thing that bothers me that I did NOT expect is that the manual aperture is not a true manual aperture. While it is declicked, the RX10ii still electronically stops up or down the aperture. You will not get smooth aperture pulls. Bummer. The best thing about this camera is the 24-200mm equivalent lens. No need for lens changes on this one!

Date published: 2015-07-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Urban.Hues from
Great piece of gear!I'm really digging this camera. I purchased it to start incorporating 4k video into my workflow. But, even the HD video is pretty great. This compliments my A77 quite well, which I use more for stills. The RX's Zeiss lens is great. Sharp, and f2.8 throughout it's entire range. Does a decent job on stills, but the auto-focus is not as responsive as my A77, nor is it expected to be (IMHO). Video is where this baby shines. Gorgeous. And slow-mo options are usable. 1080/120p is beautiful. 240p/480p/960p are all upscaled to 1080p, so it won't be great for full HD production, but still usable. Also, for it to not be RAW, the 4k video is stunning. Looks better to me than XC10 footage, and I'm historically a Canon shooter. I'm still putting this baby through its paces, but so far I'm loving it.

Date published: 2015-07-26

Rated 4 out of
5 by
valente from
Amazing....I think?When I started shooting with this little gem, the IQ was absolutely stunning. It was easy to figure it out because the controls are almost exactly as my Sony A7R II. I love the constant F/2.8 lens. Very helpful in low light. But after 2 days the camera did something weird - it wouldn't shut off. The red light remained on. It froze. I had to remove the battery. This happened twice. In addition, there's been some arguments about the subtle rattling noise the camera makes when it's off. Some say it's normal and some say it's the lens stabilization and some say they don't experience any rattling at all. I checked it closely and yes, the front of the lens does move a tiny bit when turned off. So I sent it back to B&H to get a replacement. I'll know more when the replacement arrives.

Date published: 2016-01-10

Rated 5 out of
5 by
JofLA from
Addendum to earlier review - even more impressedThe RX10 M2 DOES provide SMPTE time code shooting XAVC video, both free run and custom set. SLOG2 (Picture Profile 7 in the default settings) is excellent, adding several stops of dynamic range. A window blown out in other profiles shows exterior detail on a bright day while handling darker interior areas of the frame perfectly. XAVC LUT's available at a variety of websites at little or no cost work very well with footage shot at SLOG2, editing on Adobe Premiere Pro or other systems. Video captured at the highest ISO (i.e. 12000+) can be noisy but cleans up beautifully with the NEATVIDEO noise reduction plug-in available for a variety of non-linear editing programs. The mega-manual available on the web is definitely worth the read. Shooting with this camera is like using Photoshop. The more you learn what it can do, the more you appreciate it.

Date published: 2015-11-18

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Christian B from
RX10iiLove the camera. Three complaints though: 1) The SD card slot is incredible weird to get the card in and out. Don't forget, to use the 4K you need to get a class 10 U3 card. 2) When the camera is not actively engaging the zoom function, the lens feels loose in itself and moves around. 3) The Slow motion capture is barely usable, which was the whole point of getting it as a second shooter for action sequences. I bought a 256gig SD card with the hopes that I could choose how long I could film in HFR but no chance. If you choose quality, you only get a couple seconds so plan ahead.

Date published: 2015-08-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
JofLA from
The absolute best single camera I have ever owned.I'm a producer/videographer who works for National Geographic and Discovery. We use Sony F7's as our primary field camera for documentaries, mostly still shooting 1080P but slowly moving to 4K. I decided to try out this camera hoping that it might be a workable B-camera to use with the F7 (with lens, a $10K+ camera). Frankly, I am blown away by the RX 10M2. It's now even moved up to A-camera status in many situations. Is it an F7? Of course not. Does it have the low light capability of an AS7 II (with lenses a $4-5K camera) Of course not. But it's the absolute best bang for the buck I've ever held in my hands. For $1300 we're talking a lens alone that would not long ago alone have cost 3K if it even existed. We're talking 4K and 2K video quality that is broadcast spec (50 and 100 MBPS with Sony's great XAVC codec). And if you're concerned about shooting 4k because you can't edit it on your i5 processor Macbook Pro, it even has a Dual Record mode, giving you a MP4 proxy at the same time for an easy offline cut. And with the proper use of its picture profiles (not even talking S-log2 which it provides), it definitely holds low light with little or low noise to 3200 ISO, even close at 6400. Anyone saying it's noisy beyond 400 or 800 has not explored the picture profile possibilities. AND it DOES NOT OVERHEAT like the other previously released Sony cameras including the $3K A7R II. I won't even get into the high speed slow mo capabilities which are unimaginable in this price range, or its stunning still quality, or the terrific viewfinder, or the uncountable shooting options with every variation of manual to auto you can consider. THIS is by far the best single camera I have ever owned for the money, and actually far better than many I've owned that cost much much more. Okay, it doesn't provide time code which would be nice for pro video use. And battery life could be better. But this is a BLOCKBUSTER camera. We're now looking at buying several more to use IN PLACE OF the F7's when we need to be more discrete. Seriously, Sony has made a lot of missteps in the past few years releasing what seems like a new camera every week, but with this one they hit it out of the park.